The Storm Before the Flight

The atmosphere in the throne room was turbulent. It was the peak of the Valentine’s season, but Princess Elara felt like she was trapped in a permanent state of turbulence. Her father, the King, insisted that a princess must be prim and proper, sitting quietly while suitors paraded by. But Elara was tired of the rough ride her life had become.

First, there was Sir Alistair. He was a total social butterfly, constantly surrounded by admirers and flattery. While his popularity was a charm, the catch was that he loved to play games with people's emotions. He spent the entire dinner playing coy about his intentions, acting as if he was too important to give a straight answer. Elara knew that if they married, their life together would be a constant lack of trust.

The second suitor was Baron Thorne. He was the opposite—stiff, prim, and boring. He had no flexibility and expected Elara to follow every ancient rule. To Elara, marrying him would be a fatal weakness for her spirit. She’d rather live in a tent than in a palace governed by his suffocating rules.

"Princess," the King barked, "stop your wavering. Choose one and let us celebrate."

Elara looked at the social butterfly who only cared for attention and the prim man who only cared for rules. She realized that neither could understand her. She stood up, her eyes flashing like a turbulent sea.

"I will not settle for someone who treats my heart like a puzzle or my life like a cage," she announced. "You want me to pick a partner for this rough ride called life? I've decided to go alone."

Instead of choosing a husband, Elara declared she would fund and lead the kingdom's first merchant navy. She wouldn't be playing coy anymore. She was trading her ballgown for a captain's coat. "I'd rather face real turbulence on the high seas than a life of fake smiles in this court."